Finally, the brand new Jeremy Pei.com is up! I have been really busy with trips as well as shows locally. I was in Tokyo Japan last week for the Annual Magic Masters Convention organized by Wizards's Inn Japan. Shoot Ogawa and his teacher Masahiro Yanagida invited me to be a guest performer for the event.

Shoot Ogawa and Masahiro Yanagida

This trip to Japan has got to be one of the most rewarding trips for me, not only did I made lots of new friends, but also I felt the advise I received from the company there really elevated my magic to a new level.

With Shoot and Overseas guests on the Mini Bus driven by Master Jin.

The Magic Masters Convention is held annually during the summer vacation in Japan . Each year, participants of the convention compete in an unique Technical Competition, Tournament Competition, Magic Lecture and Stage Show. The Technical Competition is a rather interesting one, contestants compete in 6 categories:

Muscle Pass, Estimation, Re-collection, Card Setting 1, Card Setting 2, Coin Roll.

During the coin roll technical competition

It was really an eye opener for me as I have never seen such a contest before. Last year when Shoot came to Singapore , he showed me some of the techniques and I played with it. However, the standard in Japan for such competitions is a whole new level. A Japanese Magician, Indo Taige, even set a brand new world record for Muscle Pass to a new height of 90cm! And he could actually go higher then that only that the scale was only to 90 cm.

The Competition Chart, the one on the far right is my name in Katakana.

The Tournament style competition was next. Competitors have to compete their way up the chart to vive for the title of Central Champion and Pacific Champion. Only winning those that they get a chance to compete in the World Tournament. I was a contestant in the Pacific Competition, and had to perform a maximum of 3 acts to win the title of Pacific Champion. Initially when I received the email from Shoot, I remembered him just saying that I am a guest performer for the event but it would be cool if I caould take part in the Competition. However, during one of the lunch with Shoot and Masahiro, they mentioned that the winner of either the Central or Pacific Competition will win not only trophy and cash prize, but a return air ticket to LA's  Magic Castle! My adrenaline shot up to the max after hearing this and I told myself to work hard and win the competition. My hard work paid off and I won Championship for the Pacific Competition.

World Tounament in Action and Winners of all the Competition

The World Tournament had only 8 contestants and the champion would require to perform 3 acts maximum. I had saved my strongest act, which is my cups and cherries act "Love Story", for the final battle, as I know if I win the 2nd round I will meet Shoot Ogawa in the last round. I went through the first round smoothly and secured the title of Best 4 (This means that I will be going back to Japan next year for their Convention and compete straight in the World Tournament). During the Best 4 contest, I performed my favorite card magic routines but it did not shin as well as my opponent's, hence I am unable to enter the finals. Nevertheless, both the awards of Pacific Champion and Best 4 had a great impact to my career.

Me and my new trophies, Pacific Champion and Best 4.

Apart for these achievements, this trip had really made me understood the idea of discipline, the Japanese Magicians are really disciplined. Everyday is scheduled to wake up at 7am in the morning (that's 6am in ) to eat breakfast together, no matter how late we sleep. And our schedules are so tight that we can only spend that much time at one place. Sometime I just have to buy everything I like and see because I would not have time to decide.

At the middle of Mt Fuji with Magicians. After a refreshing Hot Spring at Hakoen.

Prior to the Convention, we had a 1.5 days vacation with Shoot and the overseas guests. We visited some malls in Tokyo City area , Magic Shops, the Mt Fuji and Hakoen for Natural Hot Spring. Whenever we tried to ask Masahiro something, he will always say that we shall discuss in the Hot Spring. Apparently he loves Hot Spring, and he also mentioned that the secret to why Japanese have a longer life span is the way they enjoy the Natural Hot Spring. It was a refreshing experience for me and we had a really great time chatting.

Traditional Japanese Dinner. Oyokonomiyaki (Thats the real thing!). Shabu Shabu with magicians.

Food was great for me there as I am a big fan of Japanese food. The most memorable meal was at a restaurant serving Japanese Oyokonomiyaki (Japanese Pizza). They actually cook it in front of you and it is just so Oishiii! There is something like this available in Singapore but nothing beats the ready cooked one in that restaurant. I also had a chance to eat the Japanese Shabu Shabu since Japan Cup 2003. Apart from those, every night after our convention, we visit this restaurant in Shibuya area called, Wakame. I must say that after eating there for 3 nights in a row, the taste of the food began to bored us, but nevertheless we still enjoy the company, food and drinks.

On my way back to Singapore, I received the biggest shock in my life! The airport personnel wanted to charge me 43 000 yen for my excess baggage!!! (That is close to $400 USD). I mentioned to her that I am a loyal Kris Flyer member and she still insists that I pay the overweight charge for 19KG! I remembered in May when I returned from Hong Kong, my baggage was about 30 KG overweight and they did not even charge me a single cent. Anyway we bargained and I checked in a 27kg Baggage allowance after 1 hour of re-packing in the airport with Shoot, Shun and Ai. Most of the methods and ideas for the re-packing came from Shoot, so guess where the other 12 KG went to?MAGIC! I shall leave that as a mystery to you. I then flew on board safely with no excess baggage payment. However I forgot to pick up my Tripod which I had to check in last min as they don't allow me to hand carry it on board. I shall have to pick it up next Friday before I fly off to Manila. Till then… I'll write soon again…

Thats FICE ( Fire and Ice), a Japanese Pop Duo in the Cos Play Anime Industry.